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Proton NMR conformational analysis of cyclic beta-casomorphin analogues of the type Tyr-cyclo[N omega-D-Orn-Xaa-Yaa-Gly-].

A conformational study of the cyclic beta-casomorphin-5 analogues H-Tyr-cyclo[-D-Orn-2-Nal-Pro-Gly-] (1) (mu-selective agonist; 2-Nal = 2 naphthylalanine), H-Tyr-cyclo[-D-Orn-2-Nal-D-Pro-Gly-] (2) (mixed mu agonist/delta antagonist) and H-Tyr-cyclo[-D-Orn-Phe-D-Pro-Gly-] (3) (highly potent mu and delta agonist) has been carried out using 1H NMR spectroscopy. A complete assignment of the proton resonances of the three pentapeptides has been achieved. Compound 1 was shown to exist in two conformations, a major one (90%) characterized by a cis amide bond between 2-Nal3 and Pro4, and a minor one (10%) showing cis amide bonds both between D-Orn2 and 2-Nal3 and between 2-Nal3 and Pro4. Peptides 2 and 3 each showed only one conformer with all-trans peptide bonds in both cases. Temperature dependence studies of the amide proton chemical shifts indicated the existence of several intramolecular hydrogen bonds in the case of compounds 2 and 3 but not in the case of peptide 1. The backbone conformations of 2 and 3 were found to be similar, both being characterized by two consecutive gamma turns around the D-Pro4 and D-Orn2 residues, respectively, and by a D-Orn2-CO<--HN delta-D-Orn2 hydrogen bond. Altogether, the overall backbone conformation and the preferred side chain conformation were found to be roughly similar for the three title peptides. For all three compounds a close proximity between the aromatic moiety of the 3-position residue (2-Nal or Phe) and the D(or L)-Pro4 residue was established on the basis of ROESY experiments. The examination of low energy conformations obtained in molecular modelling studies by taking into account the various experimentally found NMR parameters (NOEs, vicinal H,H coupling constants, torsion angles, H-bonds) led to proposals of the solution conformation for each peptide. These conformations are in close agreement with a pharmacophore model for mu opioid receptor binding compounds.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Conformational analysis of A and B rings in 2-, 4-, and 6-bromosubstituted steroidal 4-en-3-ones by nuclear magnetic resonance.

The conformational preference of A and B rings in four differently functionalized bromosubstituted 4-en-3-one steroids is studied by concerted application of high-resolution one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques, such as homonuclear and heteronuclear correlated spectroscopy, transient and steady-state nOe spectroscopy, temperature-dependent chemical chemical shift variation, and application of a modified Karplus equation. The steroids studied include 6 beta-bromocholest-4-en-3-one (3), 4,6 beta-dibromocholest-1,4-dien-3-one (2), 2 alpha,4,6 beta-tribromocholest-4-en-3-one (1), and (25R)-2 alpha,6 beta-dibromospirost-4-en-3-one (4). Steroids 1-4 were prepared by either acid-catalyzed or free-radical bromination from appropriate 4-en-3-one steroid. The study has yielded an insight into the factors responsible for conformational preferences of the A and B rings of these bromosubstituted steroids. Bromosubstitution at the 2 alpha position is responsible for the inversion of the A ring to inverted 1 beta,2 alpha-halfchair conformation. The electronic interaction between 4-bromine and carbonyl oxygen distorts the A-ring conformation further. Inversion of the A ring has a concomitant effect of distortion in the chair form of the B ring. Conformational preferences of A and B rings are not found to be influenced by transmission effect of a side chain or oxygenated ring system. Temperature-dependent NMR studies indicate the reduced conformational flexibility of the A ring for 2 alpha-bromosubstituted steroids. Complete assignment of the 13C and 1H resonances of two of the steroids studied (3 and 4) is presented.

Bromides↗

[Theoretical conformational analysis of doulble-stranded polynucleotides].

Calculations of intramolecular interaction energy of two-stranded helical homopolynucleotide in the function of nine conformational variables have been carried out by the method of atom-atom potential functions. Four of these variables determine mutual position of base pairs, other four--deoxiribose ring conformation and other one--orientation of this ring with respect to the base. For this purpose an algorythm connecting dependent variables with independent ones has been developed. The investigation of energy function has shown that in the space of conformational parameters there are two valleys, which correspond to A-and B-families of conformations. Experimentaly determined conformations of two-stranded helical polynucleotides are located along the bottoms of these valleys. Along the bottom of each valley the intramolecular interaction energy changes rather little when conformational parameters change within a wide range. The valleys are separated by an energetical barrier.

Models, Chemical↗

Conformational analysis of the sialyl alpha(2----3/6)N-acetyllactosamine structural element occurring in glycoproteins, by two-dimensional NOE 1H-NMR spectroscopy in combination with energy calculations by hard-sphere exo-anomeric and molecular mechanics force-field with hydrogen-bonding potential.

The conformation is described of the sialyl alpha(2----3/6)N-acetyllactosamine structural element, frequently occurring in glycoproteins. NOE spectroscopy of NeuAc alpha(2----3)Gal beta(1----4)GlcNAc beta(1----N)Asn and NeuAc alpha(2----6)Gal beta(1----4)GlcNAc beta(1----N)Asn is presented and for each glycosidic linkage, except for the alpha(2----6)-linkage, a number of interglycosidic NOEs are measured. The analysis of these effects is performed using a full relaxation matrix. Analysis of intraresidue NOEs provides a calibration of the calculation method. Hard-sphere exo-anomeric (HSEA) energy calculations indicate a single conformation for the beta(1----4)-linkage in both compounds, both being consistent with the NOE data. HSEA and molecular-mechanics force-field with hydrogen-bonding potential energy calculations both indicate the existence of three preferred conformations for the alpha(2----3)-linkage. The analysis of the NOE spectra are consistent with a distribution over two or three of these conformations; by combination with the energy diagram for this linkage the existence of onyl a single conformation can be excluded. The NOE spectrum of the compound with the alpha(2----6)-linkage indicates a gt orientation for the Gal C-6 hydroxymethyl group. On this basis, the HSEA energy calculations for the alpha(2----6)-linkage indicate an extended low-energy surface with a number of preferred conformations. The absence of NOEs across this linkage is interpreted in terms of a non-rigid, but overall folded conformation of the NeuAc alpha(2----6)Gal beta(1----4)GlcNAc beta structural element. This provides an explanation for the shift effects induced by alpha(2----6) attachment of NeuAc to the N-acetyllactosamine unit.

Amino Sugars↗

Conformational analysis of invariant peptide sequences in bacterial genomes.

The functional significance of evolutionarily conserved motifs/patterns of short regions in proteins is well documented. Although a large number of sequences are conserved, only a small fraction of these are invariant across several organisms. Here, we have examined the structural features of the functionally important peptide sequences, which have been found invariant across diverse bacterial genera. Ramachandran angles (phi,psi) have been used to analyze the conformation, folding patterns and geometrical location (buried/exposed) of these invariant peptides in different crystal structures harboring these sequences. The analysis indicates that the peptides preferred a single conformation in different protein structures, with the exception of only a few longer peptides that exhibited some conformational variability. In addition, it is noticed that the variability of conformation occurs mainly due to flipping of peptide units about the virtual C(alpha)...C(alpha) bond. However, for a given invariant peptide, the folding patterns are found to be similar in almost all the cases. Over and above, such peptides are found to be buried in the protein core. Thus, we can safely conclude that these invariant peptides are structurally important for the proteins, since they acquire unique structures across different proteins and can act as structural determinants (SD) of the proteins. The location of these SD peptides on the protein chain indicated that most of them are clustered towards the N-terminal and middle region of the protein with the C-terminal region exhibiting low preference. Another feature that emerges out of this study is that some of these SD peptides can also play the roles of "fold boundaries" or "hinge nucleus" in the protein structure. The study indicates that these SD peptides may act as chain-reversal signatures, guiding the proteins to adopt appropriate folds. In some cases the invariant signature peptides may also act as folding nuclei (FN) of the proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Polymer chain statistics and conformational analysis of DNA molecules with bends or sections of different flexibility.

The worm-like chain model has often been employed to describe the average conformation of long, intrinsically straight polymer molecules, including DNA. The present study extends the applicability of the worm-like chain model to polymers containing bends or sections of different flexibility. Several cases have been explicitly considered: (i) polymers with a single bend; (ii) polymers with multiple coplanar bends; (iii) polymers with two non-coplanar bends; and (iv) polymers comprised of sections with different persistence lengths. Expressions describing the average conformation of such polymers in terms of the mean-square end-to-end distance have been derived for each case. For cases (i) and (iv), expressions for the projection of the end-to-end vector onto the initial orientation of the chain are presented. The expressions derived here have been used to investigate DNA molecules with sequence-induced bending (A-tracts). Mean-square end-to-end distance values determined from a large number of A-tract containing DNA molecules visualized by scanning force microscopy resulted in an average bend angle of 13.5 degrees per A-tract. A similar study was performed to characterize the flexibility of double-strandedDNA molecules containing a single-stranded region. Analysis of their mean-square end-to-end distance yielded a persistence length of 1.3 nm for single-stranded DNA.

DNA↗

Folding and conformational analysis of AVR9 peptide elicitors of the fungal tomato pathogen Cladosporium fulvum.

The race-specific elicitor AVR9, produced by the phytopathogenic fungus Cladosporium fulvum, is a 28-residue beta-sheet peptide containing three disulfide bridges. The folding of this peptide to its native conformation was examined in the presence of oxidized (GSSG) and reduced (GSH) glutathione at concentrations resembling those present in the endoplasmic reticulum. The concentrations of GSH and GSSG, and the applied temperature strongly affected the folding efficiency. The effect of temperature appeared reversible. The conditions for in vitro folding were optimized and a maximum yield of 60-70% of correctly folded peptide was obtained. In vitro folded AVR9 is equally as active as native fungal AVR9. They both display similar NMR characteristics, indicating that they have the same 3D structure and identical disulfide bridges. Thus, AVR9 can be folded correctly in vitro. This folding can be described by disulfide bridge formation leading to scrambled three-disulfide species, followed by disulfide reshuffling to acquire the native structure. The presence of urea significantly affected the folding of AVR9, indicating that noncovalent interactions play a role in directing correct folding. Protein disulfide isomerase increased the folding rate at least 15-fold, but had no effect on the yield. The folding procedure has also been applied successfully to two mutant AVR9 peptides, (K23A)AVR9 and biotinylated AVR9. We conclude that the 28-residue sequence, without the preprosequence (as present in vivo), contains sufficient information to direct correct folding and disulfide bridge formation in vitro.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Conformational analysis of indole alkaloids corynantheine and dihydrocorynantheine by dynamic 1H NMR spectroscopy and computational methods: steric effects of ethyl vs vinyl group.

1H NMR (400 MHz) spectra of the indole alkaloid dihydrocorynantheine recorded at room temperature show the presence of two conformers near coalescence. Low temperature 1H NMR allowed characterization of the conformational equilibrium, which involves rotation of the 3-methoxypropenoate side chain. Line-shape analysis yielded enthalpy of activation DeltaH(double dagger) = 71 +/- 6 kJ/mol, and entropy of activation DeltaS(double dagger) = 33 +/- 6 J/mol.K. The major and minor conformation contains the methyl ether group above and below the plane of the ring, respectively, as determined by low-temperature NOESY spectra, with free energy difference DeltaG degrees = 1.1 kJ/mol at -40 degrees C. In contrast to dihydrocorynantheine, the corresponding rotamers of corynantheine are in the fast exchange limit at room temperature. The activation parameters determined for corynantheine were DeltaH(double dagger) = 60 +/- 6 kJ/mol and DeltaS(double dagger) = 24 +/- 6 J/mol.K, with DeltaG degrees = 1.3 kJ/mol at -45 degrees C. The difference in the exchange rates of the rotamers of corynantheine and dihydrocorynantheine (respectively, 350 s(-1) and 9 s(-1) at 0 degrees C) reflects the difference in the steric bulk of the vinyl and the ethyl group. The conformational equilibria involving the side chain rotation as well as inversion of the bridgehead nitrogen in corynantheine and dihydrocorynantheine was studied by force-field (Amber and MMFF) and ab initio (density-functional theory at the B3LYP/6-31G level) computational methods, the results of which were in good agreement with the 1H NMR data. However, the calculations identified the rotamers as essentially isoenergetic, the experimental energy differences being to small to be reproduced exactly by the theory. Comparison of density-functional and force-field calculations with experimental results identified Amber as giving the most accurate results in the present case.

Alkaloids↗

On the multiple-minima problem in the conformational analysis of polypeptides. IV. Application of the electrostatically driven Monte Carlo method to the 20-residue membrane-bound portion of melittin.

The conformational space of the membrane-bound portion of melittin has been searched using the electrostatically driven Monte Carlo (EDMC) method with the ECEPP/2 (empirical conformational energy program for peptides) algorithm. The former methodology assumes that a polypeptide or protein molecule is driven toward the native structure by the combined action of electrostatic interactions and stochastic conformational changes associated with thermal movements. The algorithm produces a Monte Carlo search in the conformational hyperspace of the polypeptide using electrostatic predictions and a random sampling technique, combined with local minimization of the energy function, to locate low-energy conformations. As a result of 8 test calculations on the 20-residue membrane-bound portion of melittin, starting from six arbitrary and two completely random conformations, the method was able to locate a very low-energy region of the potential with a well-defined structure for the backbone. In all of the cases under study, the method found a cluster of similar low-energy conformations that agree well with the structure deduced from x-ray diffraction experiments and with one computed earlier by the build-up procedure.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The nomenclature and conformational analysis of lipids and lipid analogues.

Lipids form an essential part of the biomembrane and it is of paramount importance to study their conformational aspects. It is found that the present methods of nomenclature for lipids are totally inadequate for describing these diverse amphipathic molecules. Further the existing methods are incompatible in terms of assignment of the absolute configuration. A systematic method for the naming of lipids which is rationally extendible to a wide class of amphipaths is described. The conformational features of the natural glycerolipids as well as a synthetic amphipath containing a glutamic acid moiety known to undergo interesting phase transitions, have been examined in detail using the framework of the current nomenclature system. The implications of the conformational flexibility of these molecules on assemblies of these systems is touched upon.

Membrane Lipids↗

Conformational analysis of the disaccharide alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->2)-alpha-L-Rhap-OMe: comparison of dynamics simulations with NMR experiments.

The conformational behaviour of the disaccharide alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->2)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->OMe) has been examined using molecular dynamics (MD) and Langevin dynamics simulations and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy; an 800 ps MD trajectory with the explicit inclusion of water was also determined. The results of the MD simulations were found to be sensitive to the choice of dielectric constant and force-field parameters. NOE build-up curves were constructed from the water and vacuum dynamics trajectories and compared with experimental values. Calculation of NOE data sets from the simulations was problematic for several reasons, including the similarity in time scales for the internal and overall motions.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗

Conformational analysis of LYS(11-36), a peptide derived from the beta-sheet region of T4 lysozyme, in TFE and SDS.

The solution conformation of a peptide LYS(11-36), which corresponds to the beta-sheet region in T4 lysozyme, has been examined in aqueous solution, TFE, and SDS micelles by CD and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Secondary structure predictions suggest some beta-sheet and turn character in aqueous solution but predict a helical conformation in a more hydrophobic environment. The predictions were supported by the CD and NMR studies which showed the peptide to be relatively unstructured in aqueous solution, although there was some evidence of a beta-turn conformer which was maintained in 200 mM SDS and, to a lesser extent, in 50% TFE. The peptide was significantly helical in the presence of either 50% TFE or 200 mM SDS. TFE and SDS titrations showed that the peptide could form helical, sheet, or extended structure depending on the TFE or SDS concentration. The studies indicate that peptide environment is the determining factor in secondary structure adopted by LYS(11-36).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A model for hydration of peptides and its application to the conformational analysis of terminally blocked amino acids and dipeptides.

A theoretical model for peptide structure, which takes into account the effects of hydration in conformational energy calculations, is described. The free energy of hydration is composed of a term for "specific hydration," representing solute-water hydrogen bonding, and a term for "non-specific hydration," describing the interaction of the solute with water molecules in a first-neighbor shell. Minimum-energy conformations were computed for the hydrated N-acetyl-N'-methylamides of the 20 naturally occurring amino acids, and the results were compared with those computed in the absence of hydration. The relative energies of many conformations and the width of some low-energy regions of the (ø, Psi) conformational maps are altered when the free energy of nonspecific hydration is included. The term for specific hydration causes large charges of the energy, but only in some regions of the maps. Observed vicinal coupling constants are approximated better by the computation when hydration is included. Conformational preferences of the individual residues in hydrated dipeptides are similar to those computed for the hydrated single residues, showing that intraresidue interactions predominate in dipeptides. This supports the concept of the importance of short-range interactions in proteins. Bend probabilities were computed and compared with observed frequencies of occurrence of bends in proteins of known structure. Computed values improve only for some of the dipeptides containing polar residues or glycine when hydration is included. For bends involving two nonpolar residues, computations omitting hydration give better results.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

DNA conformational analysis in solution by uranyl mediated photocleavage.

Uranyl mediated photocleavage of double stranded DNA is proposed as a general probing for DNA helix conformation in terms of minor groove width/electronegative potential. Specifically, it is found that A/T-tracts known to constitute strong distamycin binding sites are preferentially photocleaved by uranyl in a way indicating strongest uranyl binding at the center of the minor groove of the AT-region. The A-tracts of kinetoplast DNA show the highest reactivity at the 3'-end of the tract--as opposed to cleavage by EDTA/Fell--in accordance with the minor groove being more narrow at this end. Finally, uranyl photocleavage of the internal control region (ICR) of the 5S-RNA gene yields a cleavage modulation pattern fully compatible with that obtained by DNase I which also--in a more complex way--senses DNA minor groove width.

Animals↗

Structural and conformational analysis of pentostatin (2'-deoxycoformycin), a potent inhibitor of adenosine deaminase.

X-ray, NMR and molecular mechanics studies on pentostatin (C11H16N4O4), a potent inhibitor of the enzyme adenosine deaminase, have been carried out to study the structure and conformation. The crystals belong to the monoclinic space group P21 with the cell dimensions of a = 4.960(1), b = 10.746(3), c = 11.279(4)A, beta = 101.18(2) degrees and Z = 2. The structure was solved by direct methods and difference Fourier methods and refined to an R value of 0.047 for 997 reflections. The trihydrodiazepine ring is nonplanar and adopts a distorted sofa conformation with C(7) deviated from the mean plane by 0.66A. The deoxyribose ring adopts a C3'-endo conformation, different from coformycin where the sugar has a C2'-endo conformation. The observed glycosidic torsion angle (chi = -119.5 degrees) is in the anti range. The conformation about the C(4')-C(5') bond is gauche+. The conformation of the molecule is compared with that of coformycin and 2-azacoformycin. 1 and 2D NMR studies have been carried out and the dihedral angles obtained from coupling constants have been compared with those obtained from the crystal structure. The conformation of deoxyribose in solution is approximately 70% S and 30% N. Molecular mechanics studies were performed to obtain the energy minimized conformation, which is compared with X-ray and NMR results.

Adenosine Deaminase Inhibitors↗

The conformational analysis and photoisomerization of retinochrome analogs with polyenals.

3,7-Dimethyl-2,4,6,8,10-dodecapentaenal was synthesized for reconstitution of the retinochrome analog. Its opsin shift was 1000 cm-1 smaller than that of native retinochrome, whose chromophore contains the same number of double bonds. The conformational change from 6-s-trans to 6-s-cis, as figured in a retinal molecule, plays an important role in the formation of the retinochrome analog, based on the estimation of opsin shifts for retinal analogs locked in the 6-s conformation. Thus the conformation of the 6-7 single bond in the native retinochrome was suggested to be 6-s-cis. Analysis of the circular dichroic spectra of retinochrome analogs revealed that the 6-s conformation is independent of the appearance of the beta-band. The stereoselectivity in the photoisomerization of the retinal analogs by a retinochrome template depends on the hydrophobic binding in the region of the beta-ionone ring.

Circular Dichroism↗